What is a Hard Money Loan? And Is It Really for You?

Hard money loans are notorious because of their short-term nature and high-interest rates. But these are by no means bad. Nor should they be considered as a “Scam”.

These are designed for specific people with specific needs. In this article, we will discuss what are these loans, their pros and cons, and finally, whether this will be a good option for you.

What is a Hard Money Loan?

Hard money loans are not like your traditional loans. These are not backed and offered by government institutions. These loans are provided by private individuals and private companies.

These loans are typically for 1 year up to 5 years, but not more than that. These are designed for a quick financing solution without the need for lengthy documentation.

Most of the lenders are investors themselves. Instead of your credit score, your property is used as a guarantee in exchange for the funds you receive. This makes it a risky loan despite the rewarding benefits it has.

How Do They Work?

As mentioned above, your credit score is not relevant. They are designed in the first place for people who cannot qualify for traditional loans. You won’t need things like a good credit score, steady income, proof of well well-paying permanent job, and more.

Instead, you will need your property. The amount of the loan depends on the market value of the property or home that you will be using as a security in return for the financing. If you are not able to pay the loan then the hard money lender can sell the property to get their money back.

What are Hard Money Mortgage Loans Used For?

Despite the risks, these loans are very beneficial for people. Most of the borrowers are people who cannot qualify for traditional loans. Or they are investors who need quick financing. Let’s discuss some of the common ways people use these loans.

1. For Commercial Properties

Traditional financing methods do not usually cover commercial properties. That is where hard money loans can be very helpful. People can get these loans for whatever purpose they want.

Securing good financing from these private lenders allows investors to buy valuable properties. These are very useful for securing rare properties on the market.

These properties are expensive due to their location and stay for a limited time in the market. These quick loans allow investors to buy their desired properties before they are sold to anyone else.

2. To Make Huge Investments

Investors love these loans to arrange massive financing for massive investment opportunities. Most of the traditional loans don’t provide enough funds to cover the cost of a good investment.

These loans from private loans can be small and large as per the need of the borrower and the property that he uses as security. Investors are able to make beneficial investments at the right time. This allows them to pay off the loan later and have their assets doubled in no time.

3. Fixing & Flipping

Fixing and flipping is a process used by realtors to make quick money. The process involves buying a property that is in a bad condition. This property is then renovated and repaired so that it can be listed in the market again.

Realtors get these loans to buy such properties and resell them. They get enough financing to purchase the property and make improvements in a short amount of time. After selling the property, they can pay off the loan, and make a profit by selling the property.

This is the safest use case as it involves the loan to be reinvested in another property. If anything goes wrong, the realtor will still be left with a property.

Pros and Cons of Hard Money Loans

Pros of Hard Money Mortgage Loans

• You don’t need to have a good credit score. In fact, the lender doesn’t even look at it.
• You won’t need to provide proof to show that you will be able to pay the loan back in time.
• These are quick loans and do not require extensive documentation like other conventional loans.
• A massive down payment is not necessary. Often the down-payment amount will be very small or very easy to arrange.

Cons of Hard Money Mortgage Loans

• The interest rates are relatively high. That is because of the risk that is involved for the lender. Also, it is a short-term loan. They are usually offered for a maximum of 5 years. This also contributes to a high-interest rate.
• One of the biggest disadvantages of these loans is that you have to use your property as collateral. If for any reason, you are not able to pay back the loan or delay the repayment, the lender will have access to your property. They can sell the property to make up for the missing payments
• There could be some fees that vary on your location and the lender. As these are private loans, there are no standard fees.

How to Find a Trustworthy Lender?

Finding a credible lender is essential for a safe and easy loan. Different lenders have different terms and conditions for hard money lending. You should check with different local lenders and see what each of them has to offer. Go with the one that offers the lowest interest rate and other relaxations. Your goal should be to look for terms that will allow you to make your investments while still maintaining a steady cash flow. You can also try to take advice from local loan experts and mortgage brokers. They are usually in contact with good lenders in their locality.

Conclusion

So, whether it’s something that you should consider? It depends on your circumstances and needs. We recommend not going for this loan if you have only one home as it will involve a lot of risk. You will have nowhere to live if you are unable to make the payments. If you are an investor with other sources of income and properties then you can consider taking this loan. It will be like another investment with high to average risk.